By Gaby Andrade, Executive Director
In my role with Andean Aid, I see the remarkable progress children are making because of the faithful supporters who are providing a way for them to thrive in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Enerly Alvarez, 13, has been attending the Help & Hope … [Read more...]

Down the hallways, inside the classrooms and across the play yard ring out the voices of 200 students, 28 teachers and 7 administrators. Their message: big things grow from tiny beginnings when God is behind the plan.
Just seven years ago, Andean Aid founded Colego Juan Christiansen, a Christian … [Read more...]

At one time, my wife Susan and I were like many Americans - marginally aware of the plight of poor children around the world. We’d seen brochures that featured starving children covered in flies or told of those barely surviving in a war-torn country, then put them aside and turned back to our own … [Read more...]

When Andean Aid was formed fourteen years ago it was a given that our focus would be providing opportunity to poor children. One segment of Venezuelan society we hoped to reach was Colombian refugees who had fled to Venezuela. The United Nations estimated that there was 280,000 Colombian refugees … [Read more...]

Sam is a boy's boy. Tough as nails and completely fearless. He leads the other boys in the neighborhood and teases the girls relentlessly. A rompin' stompin' bundle of energy. He drives his tutors at our Help and Hope Center to distraction one minute then charms his way out of trouble the … [Read more...]

How can I express all of my feelings when I visited the bridge connecting San Antonio, Venezuela and Cúcuta, Colombia? I first crossed the bridge in October 2000 to renew my visa when my wife Susan and I were missionaries at Christiansen Academy in Rubio, Venezuela. Back then the bridge was a bustle … [Read more...]

Your Amazon purchases are educating and feeding poor children in Venezuela when You use Amazon Smile. You get the same great products at the same price and Amazon donates a fraction of your total to our work among the poor. No cost to you and benefits to our kids. The url below makes sure donations … [Read more...]

Six years ago our school Colegio Juan Christiansen was a dream. It consisted of two teachers and three students in the corner of a radio station meeting room. Today we have 190 students enrolled in Pre-K through sixth grade. On Friday, May 5, 2017 we were presented with a beautiful one and a half … [Read more...]

Last night Carthage College awarded me the Beacon Award. The Carthage Beacon Award honors each recipient for one specific accomplishment, act of service, professional or personal achievement, event, or program. The College is proud to recognize these alumni, whose actions illuminate those around … [Read more...]

Yesterday my wife Susan an I decided to cap off an excellent day with a walk along Mission Beach, one of our favorite places near San Diego. Our plan was to stroll on the bay side but nature called so we headed for the restrooms on the ocean side. Immediately we noticed a large group of people and a … [Read more...]

VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN by Wayne Cramer

Road to Hope

Founded in 2003 by Susan and Wayne Cramer, Andean Aid is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides educational, physical, emotional, social and spiritual development assistance to at-risk children in the Andes mountain regions of Venezuela and Colombia through Help and Hope Centers established in collaboration with the local church. Guided by Biblical principals, Andean Aid assists children living largely in poverty in realizing their full potential, and in turn, positively impacting their families, their … More About Andean Aid

Watch Andean Aid In Action

Andean Aid took cameras along on a recent visit to the Help & Hope Centers. What an adventure it was! Watch the trailer of our new film, "Road to Hope," and contact us for ways to view the entire film.